Bears (5-0) at Cardinals (1-4)
7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, ESPN
FIRST LOOK: The Arizona Cardinals have a brand-new stadium and a brand-new quarterback to put on display next Monday night. But the Bears are taking over the national stage and will be happy to help welcome Matt Leinart to the NFL. Coach Dennis Green has promised to get his Cardinals into the playoffs, but disappointing seasons of 6-10 and 5-11 suggest otherwise.
KEY STAT: Edgerrin James signed a $30 million contract to jump from Indianapolis to the Cardinals, where they thought all they needed was a running game. But his average of 3.1 yards a carry ranks among the worst in the league.
KEY MATCHUP:
Bears’ defensive live vs. Cardinals’ offensive line
Once again, the Bears’ defensive line looks to be a big mismatch against an Arizona offensive line that Green has criticized for failing to get the job done.
DON PIERSON’S EARLY PICK: Bears 34-10.
